Position Summary

The General Advisor and Retention Specialist plays an important role in supporting the academic success, retention, and personal development of students living on campus at San Diego State University. Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Student Care and Academic Initiatives for Residential Education, the position provides academic and holistic advising, guidance, and mentoring to residential students while developing and implementing programs that promote scholarship, personal and leadership development, citizenship, mentorship, and campus engagement. The incumbent supports students with academic planning, course selection, degree progress, academic probation, and connections to campus resources while collaborating with colleges and campus partners to help students progress toward their educational goals. Through proactive advising, workshops, and student success initiatives, this position contributes to Residential Education's commitment to academic excellence, retention, and graduation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and group academic and holistic advising to residential students, including guidance related to academic requirements, course selection, degree progress, academic adjustments, and university policies and procedures.
• Identify and support students experiencing academic challenges, including students on probation or at risk of dismissal, by developing academic progress plans, monitoring progress, and connecting students with tutoring and other campus resources.
• Develop and implement programs, workshops, outreach, and proactive advising initiatives that support academic success, retention, student development, and engagement.
• Collaborate with colleges, faculty, Residential Education staff, and campus partners to connect students with academic resources and high-impact opportunities such as internships, research, and study abroad.
• Support academic program operations, including student communications, advising technology and records, assessment and reporting, and the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of peer advisors and tutors.

Why You Should Apply

• Make a meaningful impact on the academic success, retention, and graduation of students living on campus.
• Work directly with students through individualized advising, mentoring, workshops, and proactive outreach designed to help them achieve their educational goals.
• Build experience supporting students with academic planning, degree progress, academic challenges, and connections to high-impact learning opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty, colleges, Residential Education, and campus partners to create a comprehensive network of support for students.
• Join a student-centered Residential Education team committed to academic excellence, personal development, belonging, and a comprehensive living-learning experience.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2027, with the possibility of reappointment.
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. (Ability to work evenings and weekends, with advance notice)
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Residential Education Office is designated as the University department responsible for planning and administering Residential Education programs and services including those in traditional residence halls and apartment complexes. The Residential Education Office serves to enhance student life and success through a comprehensive living-learning experience that provides academic and personal support, contact with faculty, educational programs, community activities, student leadership development and multicultural learning opportunities. The department is part of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity sub-division.

The Residential Education Office strives to provide safe and supportive on-campus living-learning communities where diverse students are challenged to develop holistically, as scholars, citizens, and leaders.

Residential Education staff members are dedicated to providing curricular and co-curricular experiences to develop and enhance residents’ academic success, awareness and appreciation of diversity, and civic responsibility.

Residential Education’s values are a set of core beliefs that guide our work with students, colleagues, faculty and other constituents. While contributing to the goals of the University and the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, staff members of the Residential Education Office strive to:

• Achieve excellence in all that we do.
• Address students as unique individuals with multidimensional needs and unlimited potential for personal development.
• Promote integrity, accountability, responsibility, respect, and collaboration.
• Promote the connectedness between curricular and co-curricular learning.
• Embrace, celebrate, and educate on issues related to diversity.
• Develop communities that embrace civic responsibility, life-long learning, and healthy lifestyles.
• Maintain balance and perspective, serving as sound role models for others.
• Innovate, evaluate, and refine programs to best meet the needs of the changing student population.

To accomplish these objectives, Residential Education employs approximately 19 Residence Hall Coordinators, 231 paraprofessional team members, a central office staff of 18 and a variety of student assistants.

For more information regarding the Student Affairs Housing and Residential Education department, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job-related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Possession of the required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and requirements for maintaining confidential student academic and judicial records.
• Understanding of reporting responsibilities as a “Responsible Employee” and “Campus Security Authority” under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Act.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply Title V, CSU and University policies and procedures related to student organizations, activities, expression, and governance.
• Strong organizational, programming, and project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet established deadlines, and adapt to frequent interruptions and changing needs.
• Effective interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and build cooperative working relationships with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively with student groups and handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Proficiency with EAB Navigate, PeopleSoft, WebPortal, Microsoft Office, and Google applications to manage data, develop resource materials and presentations, and create and analyze reports.
• Familiarity with academic advising practices.
• At least one year of experience working with students in on-campus residential communities and/or with diverse student populations is preferred.
• A master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:

Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,083 - $7,228/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $5,083/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by September 24th, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.  Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.